Success of the 1,800th Launch of SoyuzThe 1,800th flight of a Soyuz launch vehicle was performed on Monday, 11 February 2013 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 18:41 Moscow time (15:41 Paris time).

Arianespace and its Russian partners report that the Progress cargo spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station. This was the second Soyuz family mission in 2013.

With the introduction of Soyuz at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) and its successful historic launch on 21 October 2011, this famed Russian medium-class launch vehicle became an integral part of the European launch vehicle fleet, together with the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the lightweight Vega.

Offered to the commercial market, the Soyuz in French Guiana is Europe's reference medium-class launch vehicle for governmental and commercial missions.

Arianespace is the world’s leading satellite launch company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, the company offers an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of 8 February 2013, 212 Ariane launches, 30 Soyuz launches (four at the Guiana Space Centre and 26 at Baikonur with Starsem) and the first launch of Vega have been performed. The company has a backlog of 19 Ariane 5, 11 Soyuz and three Vega launches, equaling three years of business.

Source: EVRY, France , Arianespace News - 11 February 2013

Photo: The Success of the 1,800th Launch of Soyuz Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan (Photo by )